Concept

Between 1936 and 1956, the arms manufacturer Emil Bührle (1890–1956) put together a large collection of art. Some of these works have been on long-term loan at the Kunsthaus Zürich since 2021. In the 2023 presentation of the collection, Bührle's activities as a collector as well as his economic and social entanglements are presented in the historical context. The exhibition begins in the past and ends with questions about the future. Art and history are inseparable.

Visit

Works of art can be exhibited in many different ways: categorized by artistic genre or style, arranged thematically, or grouped according to associations. In this exhibition, the works from the Emil Bührle Collection are presented chronologically by year of acquisition and set against the historical events of the time. This approach highlights the correlations between Bührle’s collecting activities and his rise as a businessman.

Central themes in the exhibition include looted art and provenance research. All works with often debated origins are illuminated in this context. The texts next to the works tell their life stories and retrace how the works made their way into the Emil Bührle Collection.

The Kunsthaus offers several opportunities for guests to place questions and opinions. In this way, you will become part of the process in which the Kunsthaus is re-examining its role in society. Is it ethical to exhibit this collection in a museum? Is the entire collection problematic? How should the artworks be presented? The Kunsthaus Zürich is examining all these questions and wants to hear your voice.

The exhibition proceeds in three phases. After opening in November 2023, it will go into greater depth in terms of content in spring 2024, with additions including a programme of accompanying events. A third phase will follow the publication of the final report by the historian Raphael Gross in summer 2024, who is currently reviewing the provenance research carried out by the Foundation E. G. Bührle Collection.